Looking young is a positive attribute in a world which is youth obsessed. However, ‘young’ is a relative adjective. When you’re 18, someone who is 25 is old; when you’re 50, someone 25 is a child; and to an 80 year old, young is anybody not drawing a pension. Generally speaking however, being truly ‘young’ is a fleeting experience. Our real youth passes very quickly. In regards to our physical appearance, it’s the time when our skin is firm, our eyes and hair shine bright with natural colour and radiance, our posture is strong and straight and our face is unmarked by the lines and creases that will come with laughter, anxiety and tears. In terms of stereotypical thinking, youth is synonymous with energy, aspiration, ideas, spontaneity and the future. Age is associated with wisdom, experience, scepticism, entrenched practices and the past. Is it any wonder that many if not most of us aren’t keen on being perceived as ‘old’?

If you want to look youthful i.e. vital, positive, engaged and living in the present, an Image Consultant is a very useful person to have around. Why? Well, for a number of reasons.

1. They are trained in Colour Analysis, a simple but enlightening process that determines the colours, contrast levels and textures that flatter you best. The right colours will ease the appearance of lines and wrinkles, even your skin tone and bring out the colour of your eyes and the highlights in your hair. These colours will imbue you with a healthy and youthful appearance.

2. They are experts in line and design. They understand the power of vertical, horizontal and circular influence. They assess your figure’s natural proportions and know how to create a more balanced silhouette for you. They will enable you to walk taller and slimmer.

3. An Image Consultant understands the power of stereotypes to create negative or positive impressions. Peter Pan collars, cardigans and pearls may look sweet on a 20 year old but when someone over 40 wears them, they ‘scream’ establishment’, maturity and common sense. Not necessarily bad things but together they create an impression of ‘age’. An image consultant can show you how to avoid the stereotypes that will unconsciously age you prematurely in the minds of others.

4. Being current in our dress is an important element in creating a youthful appearance. This does not mean ‘mutton dressed up as lamb’; nothing advertises your age more. However, embracing the current trends (as opposed to fads) is a great way to look youthful. Your Image Consultant can guide you towards discerning the trends that work positively for your appearance while eliminating those that do not.

An Image Consultant will help you look younger and feel fabulous. They will be an investment in your appearance, your self esteem, your present and your future.